Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): U11/U12 PDP - Combination Play Session II

Technical Activity (15 mins)

In a grid split the players into two groups. One group is inside the grid and the other group is spread around the outside of the grid. The players around the outside have a ball at their feet, and the inside players do not. For 60 seconds, the inside group checks to a player on the outside, receives a pass, and passes it back to the same person. Then they’ll find a new person on the outside to repeat the sequence. This continues for one minute. Switch the groups.

Techniques to work on:

•Right foot only two touch

•left foot only two touch

•receive with one foot pass with the other

•Give & Go (switch so the players inside have the ball for this one)

•Overlaps (switch so the players inside have the ball for this one)

oPass to an outside player then get around them and back into the grid to receive the ball

oApproach from an angle

oAccelerate through overlap

oReturn the pass in front of the runner into space

Coaching Points:

•Movement into space that’s helpful

•Quality passes into space leading a runner that eliminates a defender

-Angle of approach

-Quality passes

-Eliminate defender with pass or with movement

•Decision of when and where to make the pass

Line/Number Soccer (25 mins)

Set up one field 25 x 30 with one gate on each end. Split the players into two teams and number the players on each team (ex. 1,2,3,4,5,6). The opposing team should have a player whose number matches a player on the other team. Each team lines themselves up along one touch line. The coach will play a ball into the field and call a number. The player from each team who has that number enters the field to play against their counterpart from the other team. Vary the game and call multiple numbers so that they play in 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and even 4v4 situations. Designate which team is attacking which gate.

You can even call out situations where there’s numbers up situations 2v1, 3v2, 3v4, etc.

•How can you eliminate a defender?

•Are you in a clear path to the ball?

•What type of run will be more useful here?

Coaching Points:

•Movement into space that’s helpful

•Quality passes into space leading a runner that eliminates a defender

-Angle of approach

-Quality passes

-Eliminate defender with pass or with movement

•Decision of when and where to make the pass